About this Research Topic
The exchange of electrons is a well-established driving force in microbial ecology. Diverse electroactive microorganisms (including exoelectrogen and electrotroph) are proven to interact with other microbial species, minerals or soluble electron acceptors/donors via extracellular electron transfer (EET); that is, electromicrobiology. Such a process effectively promotes constructing a complex social network of microorganisms in various electromicrobiomes. Previous research demonstrates that EET can be conducted with the excreted soluble electron shuttles (flavins and phenazines) or the direct electron transfer from substrate oxidation. A new picture has emerged in recent years, emphasizing that photoelectrons from light harvesters such as semiconductors, photosensitizing proteins, and photoautotrophs could participate in EET and then physiological metabolism activity of electroactive microorganisms or biofilms. It brings an emerging and interdisciplinary research field of biophotoelectrochemistry (BPEC). The relevant research results may provide insight supporting vital photon-induced multiple biogeochemical redox processes (e.g., the interaction between microbe-rock/mineral, microbe-microbe), a new metaphorical branch of microbial evolution.
Despite the promising features of BPEC, several critical issues should be addressed. For instance, the in situ characterization of microorganisms' photoelectron harvest and utilization at the biotic-abiotic interface is tricky, especially with the advanced electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical technologies. Furthermore, the low stability and sustainability also limit the application and development of BEPC systems. Remarkably, the study on the natural BPEC systems with the co-cultured organisms/biofilms for the possible biogeochemical cycle of elements is early and mainly focuses on the metal elements. Therefore, more work should be done to optimize the BPEC system via different morphology and molecular engineering strategies, addressing energy and environmental challenges.
Within this multidisciplinary Research Topic, we invite contributions in the form of original research articles, short communications, reviews, and perspectives focusing on BPEC that can guide the development of synthetic biology or microbiology. In addition, the Topic will include (but is not limited to) the following areas, including both fundamental research to practical applications:
• Novel BPEC systems or material biohybrids for solar-driven biocatalysis via advanced technologies such as microbial morphology engineering and genetical engineering
• Extracellular electron transfer mechanisms of electroactive microorganisms, including the detection of intracellular electrical signalling and intermediate metabolites
• The mathematical model for BPEC systems or new systems that are derived from BPEC, such as the electron transfer and decay dynamics
• New applications of BPEC or new systems that are derived from BPEC for environmental engineering application
Despite the promising features of BPEC, several critical issues should be addressed. For instance, the in situ characterization of microorganisms' photoelectron harvest and utilization at the biotic-abiotic interface is tricky, especially with the advanced electrochemical and spectroelectrochemical technologies. Furthermore, the low stability and sustainability also limit the application and development of BEPC systems. Remarkably, the study on the natural BPEC systems with the co-cultured organisms/biofilms for the possible biogeochemical cycle of elements is early and mainly focuses on the metal elements. Therefore, more work should be done to optimize the BPEC system via different morphology and molecular engineering strategies, addressing energy and environmental challenges.
Within this multidisciplinary Research Topic, we invite contributions in the form of original research articles, short communications, reviews, and perspectives focusing on BPEC that can guide the development of synthetic biology or microbiology. In addition, the Topic will include (but is not limited to) the following areas, including both fundamental research to practical applications:
• Novel BPEC systems or material biohybrids for solar-driven biocatalysis via advanced technologies such as microbial morphology engineering and genetical engineering
• Extracellular electron transfer mechanisms of electroactive microorganisms, including the detection of intracellular electrical signalling and intermediate metabolites
• The mathematical model for BPEC systems or new systems that are derived from BPEC, such as the electron transfer and decay dynamics
• New applications of BPEC or new systems that are derived from BPEC for environmental engineering application
Keywords: semiconductor synthetic biology, photo-assisted biosynthesis, biophotovoltaics, photo-biocatalysis, semi-artificial photosynthesis, biohybrids, electroactive cell factory
Important Note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.
